7 Questions with Rebecca Stewart

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I am studying Spanish with Management (and modules in Law). I see my degree as the first step on the path to an international career. I have always been interested in and enjoyed speaking languages, particularly after my gap years' travelling experience. My interests since starting my degree have been piqued in particular by my study of International Law, as well as my own enjoyment of listening to/reading the news, and as a result, I now hope to pursue an MSc in International Public Policy and/or complete the Graduate Diploma in Law. I hope to go into some area of International Law upon graduating from further study, but my ultimate goal above everything is to be a part of making some kind of difference on a global scale.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

I have involved myself in many interesting things here at UCL. The Global Citizenship Programme at the end of my first year was one such highlight which gave me the opportunity to learn about and encounter first-hand a culture completely foreign to me, that being the Polish community here in London. The creative output that my team produced, a mini documentary, is something that I am particularly proud of and something that I would never have been able to do as a part of my degree!

This year I was also a part of the Executive Committee of the HULT Prize at UCL, and it was so exciting to be a part of a team of people who help recruit and develop students on the path to potentially winning one million dollars for their creative entrepreneurial ideas. 

What's more, although technically outside of UCL, it is only thanks to my being at UCL that I have managed to attain an internship with a start-up based in Barcelona. It's safe to say that I'm excited for my year there next year!

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

I have discovered that you can get into the Anatomy Building from the South Quad − something I had absolutely no idea about, and something that saves me time between lectures! It's like a little time-warp from one side of UCL to the other.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London?

The Design Museum in Kensington − it’s a super interesting afternoon out. Go on a cafe/coffee crawl and discover the never-ending variety of cute and stylish cafes and sample all the good, the bad and the somewhat strange types of coffees out there. Finally, walk everywhere! It’s so easy to get around, and you see and discover so much that you wouldn’t do otherwise.

If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?

I would pioneer a week of total freedom − students take the week off their own degree programmes and get the opportunity to try out different modules from across all of the UCL degrees. The modules wouldn't be taught like 'sample lectures', but would really throw students into life on another degree programme. This would give everybody the opportunity to at see if something that they would never have thought to study is actually of interest to them, and break down a sort of barrier that is created by specialising in one discipline alone.

Who inspires you and why?

Amal Clooney inspires me. She has had the ultimate international career − she is fluent in three languages and has made an incredible contribution to the world of human rights and international law. And now, she has become a mother, a fashion icon in her own right and a loyal supporter of her husband's own success. She is a woman of unending talents, it would seem, but it is the respect and prestige that she has earned in the international world thanks to her distinguished career which inspires me the most.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I used to be a ballroom dancer and have competed in national competitions!